Purinton on Broadway

By pbadmin

December 2nd, 1999

General Manager Neil Smith announced the recall of Wolf Pack tough-guy Dale Purinton and the demotion of P.J. Stock and Terry Virtue.

Purinton, 23, has tallied one goal and one assist in 20 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) this season. He ranks second in the AHL and leads the club with 128 penalty minutes. The 6-3, 214-pound defenseman has registered five goals and nine assists for 14 points, along with 715 penalty minutes in 116 career professional matches with Hartford and Charlotte (East Coast Hockey League). The native of Fort Wayne, Indiana was New York’s fifth choice, 117th overall, in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. And due to his individual style “a gothic tattoo” across his back, the hulking Purinton should add much needed toughness to the Rangers blue line. Replacing Terry Virtue, a 29 year old rookie was not easy, Virtue a weak skater possessed soft hands and did his best to help the Rangers find the net while shoring up the defense. Purinton who is currently serving a 3 game AHL suspension will become a favorite in New York if he can stick with the parent club. With the reassignment of Stock, the Rangers now have room to recall Rumun Ndur off rehabilitation assignment in Hartford. Ndur is currently injured but will most likely join the club on friday night. The Wolf Pack recalled former first rounder Jeff Brown (D) from Charlotte (ECHL) to replace Virtue. Brown has been a great disappointment since his draft number was called. Todd Hall (Hamden, CT) moved back to defense to replace Ndur and Virtue during the Wolf Pack`s last game. Jeff Brown did not arrive in time so Hall the former Whalers draft pick moved back and played suprisingly well on defense, a position he has not played since High School. The 215 pounder would also make a nice addition to the Rangers with his never say die efforts.